Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, looks at what remains of a once sturdy greenhouse in St. Elizabeth. Occasion was an assessment tour of farms in the parish on Saturday (July 6) by the Minister and several representatives from agencies within the Ministry.

Vegetable farmers impacted by Hurricane Beryl have commenced efforts to recover from losses sustained. The powerful cyclone, which passed just south of Jamaica as a category-four system on July 3, dealt a devastating blow to the agriculture sector, which racked up damage and losses totalling more than $1billion, based on preliminary estimates. Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS ) President, Lenworth Fulton,...

Preliminary estimates indicate that the island’s agricultural sector has suffered over $1 billion in damage due to the passage of Hurricane Beryl. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure during an assessment tour of farms in sections of St. Elizabeth on Saturday (July 6). He said there was damage to all crop lines. “In fact,...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is recommending that farmers use systemic pesticides, in anticipation of increases in moisture and rainfall. Senior Plant Health and Food Safety Officer with RADA, Ms. Francine Webb, told JIS News that unlike contact pesticides, systemic pesticides work through ingestion by the plant. “Once you are anticipating increased moisture with increased rainfall, from your hurricane...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is encouraging livestock owners to take pictures of their losses and submit them to the entity to facilitate damage assessments. Senior RADA Livestock Officer, Maxine Brown, says farmers should not bury their animals without first carefully documenting losses. “Sometimes they bury the animals very quickly and then there’s no evidence to say that, yes,...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is conducting preliminary assessments of damage sustained by the agriculture sector during the passage of Hurricane Beryl. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, told JIS News that the assessments will aid in determining the level of assistance the Government will provide to farmers who have been impacted. He said the sector,...

The Banana Board is reminding banana and plantain farmers not to cut the leaves from their plants in anticipation of the oncoming hurricane. Although this practice has gained popularity, the Board is imploring farmers to desist, as this can negatively affect future crops. General Manager, Janet Ferguson Conie, said this practice can inhibit the growth of new bunches. “We are...